Federal Prisons Heighten Restrictions to Stem Spread of Coronavirus

Prisoners to remain in cells for 14 days with limited exceptions

Local governments, fearing the quick spread of coronavirus in their jails, have released thousands of inmates. But in New York, the jail system’s oversight agency says the city’s efforts may not be enough. Photo: Associated Press

By

Sadie Gurman

Deanna Paul

The federal Bureau of Prisons said Tuesday that it would keep thousands of inmates at facilities nationwide locked in their cells with limited exceptions for the next 14 days as officials try to stem the spread of the coronavirus after one prisoner died and more prisoners and staff tested positive for the disease.

Prison officials stopped short of calling the rare move a lockdown but said inmates would only be allowed out in small groups for things such as showers, commissary and phone calls.